The Zadroga bill’s two critical programs providing medical treatment and compensation for 9/11 heroes – the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund – are set to expire in October 2015 and October 2016 respectively. This legislation would permanently reauthorize these programs.

9/11 responders and survivors are still battling serious health crises resulting from exposure to the toxins at Ground Zero. More than 30,000 9/11 responders and survivors have an illness or injury caused by the attacks or their aftermath, and over two-thirds of those have more than one illness. Many are disabled and can no longer work. They are suffering from a host of chronic diseases: asthma, obstructive pulmonary disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and many more.

Medical research has identified more than 60 types of cancer caused by 9/11 toxins. More than 2,900 people have been diagnosed with cancers caused or made worse by the aftermath of the attacks - more than 800 New York Fire Department members and more than 550 New York Police Department personnel are struggling with serious 9/11-related illnesses, not including the more than 70 firefighters and 60 NYPD officers who have died from their 9/11-related illnesses.

Responders came from all over the country to aid in the response to the attacks. And some area residents, workers, and survivors have since moved and are currently receiving care in cities and states across the country. Participants enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program for treatment currently reside in all 50 states and in 429 of the 435 Congressional districts in the country.

These heroes put their lives on the line to serve us, and must be afforded every resource available as they cope with chronic health conditions caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at the World Trade Center.

This legislation also honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation. James Zadroga, a New York City Police Department Detective and member of NAPO, died of respiratory disease caused by his exposure to toxic chemicals at Ground Zero. It is our obligation and duty to remember these heroes and ensure that survivors who risked their lives to protect us continue to receive the treatment and compensation that they deserve.

The staffers were very receptive during our briefings. NAPO will continue to work with fellow stakeholders to garner support for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act.

We will keep our members updated on the status of this legislation. If you have any questions about this legislation, please contact Bill Johnson at: bjohnson@napo.org.

NAPO in the News

Last week, NAPO’s Executive Director, Bill Johnson, was quoted in a U.S. News and World Report article on a state trooper who shot an unarmed prison escapee as the killer ran toward a forest near the Canadian border.In a debate over the trooper’s use of force, Johnson explained:"But these prisoners, they've gone through the justice system…Because they were convicted, they're not presumed to be an innocent citizen walking down the street.”

NAPO will continue to ensure our members’ voices are heard loud and clear on the Hill, with the Administration, and in the media. If you have any questions about the publication cited above, please contact Bill Johnson at: bjohnson@napo.org.

On July 2, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the expansion of the DHS Blue Campaign’s public awareness efforts to major airports, truck stops, and motorist gas stations across the country to better enable Americans to recognize and report potential instances of human trafficking. Travelers will now see Blue Campaign messages in new locations throughout their journey. For the first time, these messages will describe the signs of human trafficking to help the general public more readily recognize and report this heinous crime.

The Blue Campaign is the Department’s unified effort to combat human trafficking. Working in collaboration with law enforcement, government, non-governmental and private organizations, the DHS Blue Campaign strives to protect the basic right of freedom and to bring those who exploit human lives to justice.

Thirteen major airports are displaying DHS Blue Campaign awareness messages on video monitors.Passengers can also expect to see the messages on airport shopping bags in 10 major airports. Additionally, DHS Blue Campaign awareness messages will appear at more than 300 truck stop gas stations and 50 motorist gas stations, shining a light on instances of human trafficking that may occur along the interstate highway system.